There is always a way to save more on your utility bills! Here are some additional tips to consider:

1) Many states have deregulated electricity - but most citizens aren't even aware of it! Your electric bill has 2 components: generation and delivery. In many states you can choose the GENERATOR of electricity. I saved over 2cents per kilowatt hour by switching generators. Average usage for our home is 700kWh per month...we saved $14/month without doing a thing! No fee to sign up/cancel. My bill still arrives from the same company as before (DELIVERY is the same co). If there is a blackout, you still call the same company to report it. It is transparent to the consumer. You can call your state's Dept of Public Utility Control to find out whether this is an option in your state, as well as get a list of certified electric generators.

2) If you have an extra fridge or freezer in a basement/garage, decide whether it's worth it. Maybe you save money on meat buying on sale and freezing, but running a fridge costs about $20/month in electricity.

3) In addition to low flow shower heads (mentioned above), you can buy and easily install low flow aerators on all sink faucets. Most save about a gallon/minute.

4) Make sure to vacuum out/clean the front vent on your refrigerator every few months. It gets clogged with dust/dirt and makes your appliance run harder to pull in clean air.

5) If you have radiators for heat, wet dust the radiators before each winter. The accumulated dust (and there will be lots of it!) acts as a light insulation barrier, reducing effectiveness.

6). Caulk! Caulk! Caulk! Your windows may be fine, but there may be gaps or unsealed seams between the perimeter of the window and the wood frame around it. Pipes coming in under sinks often have extra space leaving gaps for air flow. Take a careful look around the house for other spots where air can leak through.

7) Don't leave small electronics like cell-phones plugged in when not in use or overnight. Most cell phones will charge in less than an hour and the screen will tell you it's done.

8) During the summer, leave shades down on windows during the few hours they have direct sunlight hitting. It will keep your house cooler and require less A/C to keep it that way.

Happy Saving!